PRIVATE SCHOOL REVIEW REPORT: WENTWORTH COLLEGE
1. BACKGROUND
The Chief Review Officer has a statutory duty to report on the performance of private schools throughout New Zealand. Section 35I of the Education Act 1989, requires the Education Review Office (ERO) to review fully registered private schools and to report to the Ministry of Education on whether each school continues to meet the criteria for full registration. This review report was prepared in accordance with standard procedures approved by the Chief Review Officer.
Wentworth College at Gulf Harbour on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula is a private, co-educational school for Year 7 to 15 students. The school is governed by the Wentworth College Trust Board and has close links with the adjacent Wentworth Primary School that operates under the same principal and managing board.
ERO’s 2009 Private School Review reported on the performance of the school and acknowledged that the criteria for registration as a private school were being met. Students were provided with a broad curriculum and a good standard of tuition. Together with suitable premises and equipment, teachers delivered the school’s stated learning programmes.
About the School
| Location | Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa |
| Ministry of Education Profile number | 484 |
| School type | Secondary (Year 7 – 15) |
| Decile rating¹ | 10 |
| Number of International Students | 19 |
| School roll | 211 |
| Ethnic composition | NZ European/Pakeha 86%, Asian 8%, Maori 2%, other 4% |
| Gender composition | Male 48%, Female 52% |
| Review team on site | July 2012 |
| Date of this report | 7 September 2012 |
| Most Recent ERO report(s) |
Private School Review, October 2009 |
1 – Decile 1 schools draw their students from areas of greatest socio-economic disadvantage, Decile 10 from areas of least socio-economic disadvantage. A school’s decile is in no way linked to the quality of education it provides.
2. CRITERIA FOR REGISTRATION
The school’s curriculum continues to be broad and diverse. Academic subjects are complemented by a strong focus on sport, physical education and technology subjects. Students also enjoy the many learning opportunities provided in the visual and performing arts, and in music and languages. Students are guided individually to select learning pathways that suit their goals and their parents’ aspirations.
Since 2009, school leaders have continued to review the curriculum. Learning programmes from Year 7 to 15 are now based on Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Teachers have well planned programmes to implement new CIE courses. Some programmes aligned to the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) continue to be delivered to a small number of students in Year 12 and 13.
The school has high expectations of student achievement. Students make good progress and achieve well. The majority of students entering the school in Year 7 are achieving at and above national averages in literacy and mathematics. Senior students gain worthwhile qualifications in both the NCEA and in the CIE, and ninety percent of students leave school with University Entrance.
The good standard of resources identified in the 2009 ERO report has been maintained. The school is well positioned in the Gulf Harbour community to utilise local resources for learning, particularly in sailing, rowing, golf and outdoor education. High quality facilities in the school’s gymnasium and technology areas, together with increased access to computer technologies, support the curriculum.
Students are confident and cooperative. They benefit from the board’s inclusive vision for education and a caring, supportive learning environment. The pastoral care network, including house leaders and tutor groups, promote student wellbeing. Teachers cater for the diverse learning needs of students and respond to their interests and strengths. Students are well engaged in learning and are motivated to achieve and succeed.
Parents are involved in making decisions about their children’s learning. They receive regular reports about the progress and achievement of students, and up to date information about the curriculum and school events. Parents appreciate the school’s open-door policy and the ease with which they can access school leaders and teachers.
The trust board maintains an emphasis on employing well qualified and specialist staff. Suitable policies and procedures are in place to support teachers and guide their professional learning. The school is ably led by an experienced principal and deputy principal who are respected by students, staff and parents. The board has recently appointed a new deputy principal with responsibilities for fully imbedding the CIE curriculum and continuing to raise student achievement. Assessment for Learning is a new model for teaching that has been introduced in 2012. These approaches have potential for increasing consistency in classroom practice and assisting students take greater ownership for their learning.
The school’s managers have attested that they comply with the provisions of section 35G with respect to their being fit and proper persons to manage the school.
3. OTHER STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
Appropriate systems are in place to assure the Wentworth managing body that its other statutory obligations are being met.
4. OTHER MATTERS
Provision for international students
Wentworth College is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. At the time of this review there were 18 international students attending the school. The school has attested that it complies with all aspects of the Code.
The school provides appropriate services for international students. The international student director supports their induction into the school and liaises closely with home-stay families. International students integrate well into school and community life. The principal completes the regulatory self review for the Ministry of Education. It would be useful for the board to strengthen the provision of English language programmes to support international students, many of whom have English as a second language. The overall achievement of international students should be reported separately to the board.
5. CONCLUSION
On the basis of the information obtained during the review, ERO considers that Wentworth College meets the criteria for registration as a private school set out in the Education Act 1989.
Makere Smith
National Manager Review Services
Northern Region (Acting)
7 September 2012
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Wentworth Primary
Wentworth College
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Our school policies are reviewed and updated regularly.
To request a copy of any policy, please contact the Board Secretary and EA to the Principal, Bruce Tong by emailing Gail Clews at: gclews@wentworth.school.nz. Printed copies are also available for viewing at the school office.
Administration
| Animals in School |
| Behaviour Management |
| Complaints |
| Board Conflicts of Interest |
| Personal Mobile Phones & Electronic Devices |
| Privacy |
| School Reviews |
| Use of ICT by Staff and Students |
Administration
- Academic Excellence
- Assessment & Reporting
- Assessments for Students with Special Needs
- Copyright
- Counselling & Career Guidance
- Curriculum Delivery
- Curriculum Review
- Homework
- Parent Interviews
- Patriotism and Taha Māori
School Life and Rules
Wentworth College school life and rules are printed at the front of the Wentworth College homework diary. A full copy is available from the school's office.
Wentworth Primary school life and rules are printed in the Guide for New Parents Handbook that new families receive on enrolment of their child.
Transport
Wentworth College offers a dedicated contracted bus service with convenient pick-up points at Silverdale, Orewa, and various locations along the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
In addition, the College operates seven of its own buses, providing transport for students from a wide range of areas, including Matakana to the north, Kaukapakapa to the west, and Albany Village, East Coast Bays, Dairy Flat, and Milldale.
This extensive network ensures students from across the region have reliable and accessible transport to and from school each day.
The School Day
The Primary School day runs from 9am to 3.10pm, with sports and cultural activities held either during breaks, or before / after school and on Saturdays.
The College teaching day runs from 8.40am to 3.20pm, with sports and cultural activities held either during breaks or before/after school and on Saturdays.
Sport
At Wentworth College we offer students the opportunity to participate in as many different sports as possible
Summer Sports (Terms 1 & 4)
Athletic
Badminton
Basketball
Cricket
Golf (Premier League and 'Learn to Play')
Rowing
Sailing (Academy and ‘Learn to Sail’)
Summer Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Touch Rugby
Volleyball
Winter Sports (Terms 2 & 3)
Badminton
Basketball
Cross country
Hockey
Netball
Rugby*
Water Polo
*composite team with other schools
Pastoral Care and Guidance
Wentworth operates a family ‘House’ pastoral care structure, with each student placed in a House from the time of their enrolment. Within each House, students are assigned a Tutor Group which meets once a day with the Tutor’s role being to keep an oversight on each student’s attendance and progress, and to counsel them if needed. Deans also operate as part of the caring and guidance system, being there to help the students and guide them when necessary. As students move into the senior school, careers guidance is also available through the Deputy Principal.
The College is committed to the pastoral care of students. This commitment enables every student to make a confident transition from school to work or tertiary study.
Standards of Behaviour
While at school students are expected to behave with courtesy and consideration, thus contributing to an environment of mutual respect and support.
Behaviour Outside School
When travelling to and from school, the school uniform must be worn correctly and a high standard of conduct exhibited at all times. Students should be aware that when in uniform, their conduct reflects upon both themselves and the reputation of the College.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
Students must not be involved with cigarettes, alcohol or drugs at school, or to and from school, or on any occasion when they are wearing school uniform, or at any function held under the control of the College. The school will view such involvement (in possession, use or association with the activity) as a serious offence. The Police Youth Aid will be given the details of any Wentworth student who becomes involved in criminal activity while at school or while taking part in any event associated with the school.
General
Students are under the school’s authority from the time they leave home until they return home, or at any function held under the control of the College.
Electronic games, CD players, I’pods, matches, lighters, or any dangerous implements must not be brought to school.
All clothing, books and sports gear must be clearly named. No responsibility will be taken for lost property, but considerable effort will be made to find it if clothing and equipment are named.
Students are not to chew gum.
No school-age or personal friends of students may be on school grounds during school time.
Bicycles may not be ridden in the school grounds and there must be no doubling.
Damage, such as broken windows, must be reported to the school office. Students must be prepared to pay for damage caused.
If parents wish to locate their children during the day or after school, they are requested to enquire at the school office. If parents wish to discuss a problem with teachers, they are requested to make an appointment.
Internet and Computer use
All students at Wentworth College are issued with their own individual login name and password, giving them access to the school’s internal network, email and internet. Prior to being given their login details, both the student and a parent/caregiver must sign an Computer Agreement, indicating their acceptance of, and agreement with, the conditions of use stipulated in the Agreement. Disciplinary action will be taken against any student found to be breaching the terms of the Agreement.
Download the 
Internet /Computer and Computer Peripherals Agreement.
Homework
Students receive regular homework, set to allow them to practise and consolidate skills previously taught at school and to develop personal study skills. Homework is expected to be completed or a note should be produced. Because students work at different speeds, it is difficult to lay down guidelines for hours of homework, but students in Years 7 and 8 will normally have about 45 minutes of homework each night, whilst students in Years 9 to 11 will normally need to do one to two hours homework.
Homework includes:
- reading and background research
- preparation of new work
- learning vocabulary
- revision and practice exercises
- revising for tests/examinations
- preparation of projects or assignments
Parents can assist by:
- taking an interest in homework
- checking a student’s homework
- helping students plan their time
- providing a quiet place or room
Textbooks and Stationery
It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that school textbooks are cared for and returned after use in the best possible condition. Damage resulting from a lack of care will be charged. Stationery lists are posted on the school website showing the requirements for each subject, with each list broken into 2 sections. It is the student’s responsibility to purchase items in the first section, whilst items in the second section will be supplied by the school and invoiced to parents.
School Lunches
Most students bring a packed lunch from home, but we also have a same day food delivery service through www.ezlunch.co.nz If you place a food order by 9am, it will be delivered at lunchtime. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you can place an order for sushi, and Thursday and Friday is a range of items from Go-Deli catering. You can see the full menu here Term 1 Menu.